When you look this condition up on the internet, it is overwhelming to find out what could really be going on inside my cat's belly. I started treating him when we lived in Maryland (back in 2006). He went through a battery of blood and stool tests ending with an ultrasound that was inconclusive. Did he have IBD or a more scary disease, abdominal lymphoma?

After long discussions with our vet, coupled with reading details on both diseases, my husband and I made the decision to treat Mack for IBD and pray (really pray) he did not have lymphoma.

After trial and error, a very delicate balance was finally achieved between the dosage of prednisolone and the type of protein in his food. Peas and venison does the trick. He no longer had diarrhea and was gaining weight. Yeah, it was IBD! Who'd guess I'd be happy for that diagnosis.

A year ago January, Mack stopped eating. Yup, my cat went anorexic (what I learned was a "classic" symptom of IBD according to Dr. Franklin). Who knew cats could choose not to eat - crazy! I always thought anorexia only afflicted humans. Visits to the emergency veterinary clinic, the specialist, and my own vet got him through it. He began eating, and eating, gaining all the weight back and then some.

Just yesterday, happy-go-lucky food loving Mack started to go anorexic again. His behavior changed -- he was sleeping in odd spots, not purring (Mack will start to purr if he thinks I may pet him), and he was not interested in his morning treat of wet food. After my last experience, I guessed what may be happening and took him to the veterinarian today to nip this anorexia in the bud.

Based on what ended up working last time. my veterinarian came up with a plan of action. I am crossing my fingers and toes that he bounces back from this with no trip to the emergency vet.